Mushy & Upul script easy win

Upul Tharanga and Mushfiqur Rahim scored half-centuries while spinner Naeem Islam Jnr scalped a four-wicket haul to help Mohammedan Sporting Club ease past Legends of Rupganj by seven wickets at Fatullah yesterday.

It was a game that was originally scheduled to take place on Monday. However, the ground could not recover in time from the sudden burst of rainfall on Sunday and as a result the game was shifted to the reserve day yesterday.

The shift in dates certainly did not seem to affect Mushfiqur's confidence, as he went on to score his third consecutive 50-plus score of the tournament to lead his side home while chasing Rupganj's 212 all out.

Mushfiqur hit two sixes and three fours during his unbeaten 51, scored off 64 balls.

While Mushfiqur held the chase towards the end, it was their foreign recruit Tharanga who gave them the base. He scored a cautious 71 off 99 balls and hit seven fours and a six.

Mohammedan eventually reached home with four overs and seven wickets remaining.

Earlier, Rupganj failed to make the most of a brilliant start given to them by openers Mizanur Rahman and Junaid Siddique. They put in a 107-run stand in 23.3 overs. However, once that partnership broke, they collapsed for just another 105 runs.

Mizanur scored an 85-ball 63 with seven fours and two sixes while Junaid hit 39. Many expected Soumya Sarkar, who batted at three, to take the responsibility after the fall of the openers, but his aggressive approach led to failure yet again. He scored 20 off 26 balls with one six and two fours before being caught off Naeem Islam.

Slow left-armer Naeem Islam Junior, who scalped four wickets, was adjudged the player of the match. The same bowler was reported for his bowling action by umpires in their previous game.